Category Archives: Eugene Oosthuizen

Solis Ortus students attended extra training on Friday afternoons to sharpen their karate skills and technique to prepare for JKA Gauteng. This tournament was held over two days and our youngsters who participated on the Friday were all too happy to miss the last day of school.

On Friday, Solis Ortus had a total of 145 entries!!! The day started off with our young white, yellow and orange belts. Some students competed for the first time, showing immense control over their emotions and their ability to shine was super nova bright. The Solis Ortus parents made sure that the karatekas were at the hall in time; everybody was relaxed and ready to do what they trained for. The whole Solis Ortus family sat together and helped to get everybody ready. It so great to see how we rally behind our students, it gives you a sense of pride and a sense of belonging. To all the students who participated on Friday – Well done guys. You were absolutely awesome!!!! We hope you continue working for what you want to achieve!!

On Saturday, Solis Ortus seniors were part of 36 entries. Competition was tough and the divisions were strong. Some of our Seniors medalled, others qualified for Nationals and a few obtained the experience needed to grow and better themselves.

A huge thank you to Annschen van Zyl (Mother of Brown belt Winette van Zyl), Andre Myburgh (Father of mini Adriaan Myburgh and orange belt Anica Myburgh) and Ruan van der Westhuizen (father to white belt Yanika van der Westhuizen and Yellow Juan van der Westhuizen) who assisted as Managers for the Solis Ortus team. Without your assistance it would be a near impossible mammoth task to get our students to the floor, keep them calm and collected. To Veronica Myburgh (main Coach), Beatrix Lotter-Moolman, Johan de Wit, Savannah Hauser and Winette Van Zyl, thank you for coaching the Solis Ortus Team, for being the familiar face next to the floor and offering the necessary motivational words when needed. Your time and assistance is appreciated beyond measure.

Solis Ortus is privileged to not only have wonderful students, but also great parents. Robbie Brazelle, former Cheetah Rugby Team conditioning coach and dad of one of our young Yellow belt karateka. Robbie offered his time and skills during a training session at the Menlyn dojo for all our All Styles karateka and parents on Saturday 9 March from 07h00 to 08h30, hosted by Sensei Eugene.

The training session focused on strengthening the feet and ankles to improve agility and direction changes. If Robbie’s advice is applied and our athletes use the exercises shown to warm up, strengthen and condition the ankles before competitions their performance can improve from 2% to 5%.

Thank you Robbie, from everyone who attended!

Later the same day, Sensei Eugene presented a GKF Coaching Seminar in Boksburg. He also coaches the GKF Team that will compete on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 March in Cape Town. This team includes several of Solis Ortus karateka.

Sensei Eugene’s aim with the seminar was aimed at building team spirit amongst the GKF Squad, preparing the athletes and getting them to know each other and their Coaches before the weekend’s event. As he said: good preparation is the key to unlock your true potential!

This session was a great success. With proper training, great spirit, excellent focus and good discipline, you cannot loose. Keep it up, Solis Ortus!

The program started at 11:00 on Friday morning and by 19:00 that evening we were all done. The day was filled with katas from various styles and kumite divisions for 8 to 9 year olds, Veterans and Masters. The whole day was very laid back, as the majority of the competitors were reserving their energy for Saturday. Solis Ortus karateka sparkled like diamonds. Some landed in huge divisions, but still did their absolute best. Our students never faltered and did exactly as they practiced.

Saturday morning kicked-off at 9:00 with the hall abuzz with energy as male and female, young and old kareteka, geared up for the kumite day to make their mark as the best fighters in Gauteng. The Children category (age 7 to 13) inspired us with their tenacity and ability to overcome the “newness” of the compulsory protective gear they had to wear. Our Solis Ortus students were on fire: they were fast and fierce, keeping the adrenaline coursing through the crowd. It was an absolute pleasure cheering for Solis Ortus.

All and all, 15 Solis Ortus kareteka competed at the GKF Championships, taking 12 medals in total: 3 Bronze, 3 Silver, and 6 Gold! What an awesome achievement for all who competed, even those that did not medal. Any time spent on the tatami is invaluable, as each time provides a new experience.

SAs will take place in Cape Town on 15 and 16 March for all children, and on 1 and 2 March in Durban for all Seniors. We wish all those who qualified only the best. Train hard and believe in your own abilities. Be awesome! (OSS-some)

On Saturday, 2 February 2019, 233 black belts from across South Africa gathered for the annual SA JKA Standardisation Seminar.

Sensei Eugene pre-registered eight of his seniors in the week prior to the seminar. Thank goodness, because that meant we did not have to be there at 07h00 for registration.

Sensei Johan le Grange, our chief instructor, opened the seminar at 09h00 with a group session for all attendees. This session was fast paced, and I, for one, was completely out of my comfort zone. But, I tried…and failed…and then I tried again. The hall was abuzz with energy! Sensei Johan explained that our hands, feet, arms and legs are our weapons: if you cannot effectively use your weapons, then why do you have them. TING!!!!! Lightbulb moment or me.

At 9:45 the dojo heads moved to a different hall, which gave us a little bit more space to train in.

The 10:00 slot was taken by Marina Valassopoulos , who grilled us on the technicalities of Empi kata. Correct body posture, deep zenkutsu dachi and speed was practiced over and over and over, until our legs were weak and wobbly . But, our spirits were anything but weak and wobbly, because we thrived on the new knowledge passed on.

After Sensei Marina , Sensei Jon Williams taught us how to make Kanku Dai kata your own. As everyone knows, Kanku Dai has 65 moves . Although we all understand the technicality and execution of the moves , Sensei Jon asked us to make this Kata our own: to make any kata, for that matter, your own. Put your personality into a kata, demand attention, while being mindful of speed and technical execution.

By now we were sweating! Everybody had the look of “I’ve just been licked by a happy, drooling bull mastiff”. Our seniors (above 50 years) kept up the pace, inspiring us all.

The 11:15 timeslot was taken up by Sensei Charles Beckenstrater Who taught us the art of Geri Waza. We were paired with a partner and taught how to properly position feet with different kicks and execute the kicks effectively with your hips. First sequence was Mae Geri-Kekomi Geri where the aim is to push your partner and kick right through him or her. Pressure, execution, fast thinking (if you are on the receiving end of a killing kick).

Afterwards, Sensei Chris Seabelo broke down Tekki Nidan for us. He taught the bunkai of parts of the kata, affording us the opportunity to practice the various applications on our partners. At first, we were confused and went slowly. But, as we got the hang of it you just saw bodies flying and falling on the ground. It was great fun to do a kata and execute the bunkai effectively.

The SA JKA Karate Assciation held its annual Standardisation Seminar and AGM on Saturday 2 February at The Wanderers Club. 233 SA JKA black belts attended the training.

From 13:30 – 14:30 we were treated with a presentation by a Neurologist, who lost his leg in a terrible accident. He explained to us how to use your mind set (observation) to change the outcome of your faith. He also explained the science behind moving and thinking and training your brain to do what needs to be done.

Senseis Daniel Gombe and Gert van Niekerk took the final hour, working hard on our stances. Sensei Gert combined stances, slow then fast. Then, after one had mastered the sequence, you got to practice against a partner, including some take downs. Again, you just saw legs in the air as partners went flying and falling all over the place. But as soon we landed, we got up, switched and continued with the sequence.

This was a great way to end an awesome six-hour training session.

As a black belt you will know that you never ever stop learning and, for this reason, we know that karate is a sport for life.

Solis Ortis Karate hosted yet another very successful Open Day on 19 January 2019. Sensei Eugene Oosthuizen welcomed more than 80 potential new karateka and parents with a brief history of the dojo, now in its 41st year.

The day kicked off with a demonstration by Sensei Eugene and his Black Belts. These senior karateka demonstrated Tekki Shodan kata, juyi ippon kumite (semi free fighting) and a bought of dojo-style free fighting. The audience was in absolute awe, judging by the oohs! and aahs! that could be heard.

The Black Belts were followed by Sensei Sandy Oosthuizen’s minis. These are little karateka range from ages two-and-a-half to five years. The mini class focuses on fundamental movement skills and aims to develop gross motor skills. These skills are very important not only to excel in karata, but also to develop other sports as well as concentration.

The minis were followed by the coloured belt classes starting from white belts up. Sensei Eugene explained the Five Maxims, which all Solis Ortus karateka try to follow. The Maxims as explained by Sensei Eugene are:

Character – karate is perfect to build a person’s character. One must be develop humility in victory and grace in defeat.

Etiquette – there is a certain etiquette in karate, and especially at Solis Ortus. Etiquette teaches respect, towards yourself as well as others.

Perseverance – karate is hard, and Solis Ortus trains very hard. This teaches karateka to not only persevere in their karate career, but also that daily life, from school and exams through to work, family and friendships, requires dedication and effort. Always endeavour to be the best you can be.

The highlight of the Open Day was when Sensei Eugene invited all the potential new karateka onto the tatami for a round of practice. Everyone was awarded with a crisp, brand new white belt to start their karate life.

Solis Ortus looks forward to welcoming everyone that attended to the formal classes, as well as anyone else who is interested.

Are your kid struggling with self-esteem, to focus or with coordination or needs more interaction with other kids to improve social skills? Is he/she too bossy, too shy, or perhaps just a little hyper, karate classes can help your child learn many important life skills to improve certain skills or aspects of life.

Solis Ortus Karate Club can help you to help your child to improve in exactly that. Our kids are more on the phones these days and what better way to help them by attending a good workout, get fit, improve their concentration skills, build their self-esteem, teach them respect for others and themselves, improve their behaviour and above all their grades.

Solis Ortus provides classes from as young as 4 years old. We have four class time schedules on a Monday and Wednesday starting with the Minis (45 minutes), White to Yellow (1 hour), orange to Blue (1 hour), Purple to Junior Black (1 hour) and Seniors Brown – Black (1.30 hours). We also have classes on a Tuesday and Thursday.

You are welcome to attend two classes for free and get hooked on karate. We are looking forward to meet you all. One way JKA, JKA one way!

As you all now, we have started the 2nd quarter of this year with a bang with 3 tournaments behind us already and our fist club grading almost upon us (14 June 2014).

I have taken some time during the various tournaments to observe the students and their behaviour while participating and their reactions to winning and losing. In this regard, I want to ask each and every one of our students and their parents to read the following article, “Winning isn’t everything, but WANTING to win is by Vince Lombardi. Parents, please print this page and read it to your children.